Learning when to shut up. Practice Task 2 for IELTS Speaking

‘The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute you are born and never stops until you get up to speak in public.’ Roscoe Drummond

To be honest, I’ve got no idea who that Drummond guy is, but he definitely has a point. For some reason, whenever most people need to give a talk, they turn into helpless puppies, which are extremely cute and awkward, but not really eloquent. Luckily, we all know how to address this problem – just practice giving speeches!


In this post I’d like to offer some sample tasks for IELTS Speaking part 2. One of the best ways to practise them is to record yourself (for example, using http://vocaroo.com) while giving these talks. Afterwards, you’ll be able to listen to your speech, analyze how well you did, and see if there’s anything you could do to improve your performance. Besides, I’d be happy to provide you with some feedback on your speech! Interested? Then click here to find out more.

Anyway, what was I saying? Oh, yes, practice tasks. Here they are

A film you have seen INSTRUCTIONS Please read the topic below carefully. You will be asked to talk about it for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish. Describe a film that you have seen.      You should say:       where it is set                                    what it is about                                    what you liked about it

A country you have visited INSTRUCTIONS Please read the topic below carefully. You will be asked to talk about it for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish. Describe a country you have visited that has made a good impression on you.      You should say:  where it is situated                               why you went there                               what you liked about it

An exhibition you have visited INSTRUCTIONS Please read the topic below carefully. You will be asked to talk about it for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish. Describe an exhibition that you have visited.      You should say:  where it was                               why you visited it                               what has impressed you most there

Your childhood INSTRUCTIONS Please read the topic below carefully. You will be asked to talk about it for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish. Describe a memorable event that you experienced when you were a child      You should say:  when it happened                               what you liked about                               why it is so memorable